The subjects were 280 handicapped children (176 boys and 104 girls), who were reffered to our clinic (Pedodontic Clinic of Hiroshima Universtity Dental Hospital)for dental care and treatment from 1976 to 1980.
Their ages ranged from 3 to 12 years, and 5 year old children were the largest number (70 children) and followed by the 6 year,4 year,3 year old children.
The subjects were classified into 6 groups according to their disorder: the CP Group, the Down Group, the Epilepsy Group, the Autism Group, the MR Only Group and the Other Group. The Autism Group contained the largest number (82 children), and was followed by the CP, MR, Epilepsy, Down and the other Group. Only in the Autism Group was a significant difference found in sex distribution (68 boys and 14 girls).
The caries condition and the dental treatment of the caries were investigated.
The findings were as follows.
The df tooth rate of the primary teeth was 56.8% on the average and it showed a gradual increase as the age increased. However no significant difference was found among the 6 diagnosis groups.
About 80% of the caries teeth were treated, with metal crown and amalgam being commonly used for restoration.
The rate of endodontic treatment in the treated teeth was 9.8%, and vital amputation was most common (66.5%).